Picked up a used one of these on Amazon for $19. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A3NCBNI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Nokia DT900
I have the Nokia DT900 http://www.amazon.com/Nokia-DT-900-Wireless-Charging-Plate/dp/B00A3NCBNI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1425348975&sr=8-2&keywords=Nokia+dt900
You can pick them up for $15, got mine direct from AT&T a year ago at this price. Will charge the N5 through a case, I'm using the Ballistic brand case which is the thickness equivalent of an Otterbox defender. Also can change an N7 2013. It's a good piece of hardware.
Those Chinese chargers that are lead than $10 are not worth the trouble. Some work, some don't. I have one that works most of the time, but the Nokia works all of the time.
Don't think that's normal. I just plop it down and it works every time.
This is mine: https://www.amazon.com/Nokia-DT-900-Wireless-Charging-Plate/dp/B00A3NCBNI